Latest News

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Lauren, age 14 of Colleyville

About Lauren: Lauren, age 14 of Colleyville, Texas, has been a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since she was 6 months old. Lauren had a staph infection that affected the growth plates in her right leg, which led to the need for amputation. TSRHC has been a second home to Lauren and her family her whole life. This is Lauren’s first time going on the Amputee Ski Trip and she is very excited to see real snow and to go skiing. Her prosthetics have given Lauren the mobility and ability to be free and do the fun activities she loves, such as cooking, shopping, water sports and archery.

About TSRHC’s Ski Trip:

Since 1981, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has hosted an Annual Amputee Ski Trip for patients. Fourteen teenage patients, as well as medical staff and chaperones, spend a week at the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), in Winter Park, Colorado.

In a continuing effort to improve the lives of patients, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children recognized that snow skiing is well suited for amputees, and with special equipment, they quickly become competitive and often excel at the sport.

Skiing at the renowned National Sports Center for the Disabled creates a focus for the trip, but the personal growth and challenges the teens overcome are often more life-changing than the actual accomplishment of skiing. The goal of the trip is to foster a sense of self-confidence, discovery and independence for these teens.

Since the first Amputee Ski Trip in 1981, the community has teamed up with the hospital to make this opportunity possible to patient families. American Airlines has sponsored the trip since 2005. Prior to that, Delta Airlines supported the event for more than 20 years. Multiple supporters include the Lone Star Skier’s Club of Dallas, Smith Group Asset Management, The Women’s Charity League of Park Cities, TSRHC volunteers and many others.